Northey explains new Animal Disease Traceability rule

March 17, 2013

DES MOINES Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is highlighting the requirements for Iowa livestock farmers under the Animal Disease Traceability rule that went into effect on March 11. The rule finalized regulations to improve the traceability of cattle/bison, equines, swine, sheep/goats, poultry and captive cervids moving in interstate commerce.

Under the rule all covered livestock moved interstate will have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation unless they are specifically exempted. The proposed regulations specify approved forms of official identification for each species but would allow the livestock to be moved interstate with another form of identification, as agreed upon by animal health officials in the shipping and receiving States